Russian Warships Threaten UK Waters Amidst Middle East Conflict; UK Defence Secretary: Absolutely Intolerable

John Healey warned Vladimir Putin that the UK is closely monitoring Russian activities and has a clear understanding of their actions. Regarding concerns that the UK government has not committed more military resources to the Middle East, Healey stressed that while the crisis in the Middle East has erupted in a noisy and dangerous manner, "the most significant threats often remain hidden," unseen and unheard. Healey reiterated the official UK position that full military involvement in the Middle East situation is not in the UK's national interest; when defense needs increase, the UK must deploy relevant resources in the most effective way. The UK Ministry of Defence stated that Russian vessel incursions into UK waters have increased by 30% in the past two years. Healey held a press conference today to explain the recent operation by the UK Navy and Air Force in response to Russian warships and to take questions from the media. Healey said the press conference was not only to expose Russia's "continuous" threat to the UK but also to highlight that the UK is "always" prepared to respond to such threats, regardless of how global situations change. According to Healey's remarks at the press conference, over a month ago, a ballistic missile nuclear-powered attack submarine with "Akula class" characteristics and two special submarines belonging to the Russian Ministry of Defence's Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI) entered UK northern waters. The UK Navy and Air Force deployed warships and P8 Poseidon anti-submarine maritime patrol reconnaissance aircraft to track and monitor Russian activities. A total of approximately 500 personnel were involved in a continuous 24/7 mission for seven days until the Russian vessels departed. Healey stated that the Russian vessels did not enter UK territorial waters but operated within the UK's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The UK Ministry of Defence noted that Russian vessels operated in waters adjacent to UK territorial waters. According to information from the UK Ministry of Defence, the Royal Navy deployed a Type 23 anti-submarine warfare frigate, an auxiliary vessel, and several Merlin anti-submarine helicopters, while the Air Force deployed P8 reconnaissance aircraft to jointly track and monitor Russian activities. Allies such as Norway also participated in the mission. The UK Ministry of Defence pointed out that UK personnel quickly determined that the so-called "Shark-class" submarine was merely a decoy, used to distract UK and allied attention, and that the actual targets to identify and closely monitor were the GUGI special submarines, which were loitering around critical underwater infrastructure in the UK's vicinity, engaging in malicious activities. The UK Ministry of Defence also mentioned that the UK Navy and Air Force used anti-submarine sonar buoys to track and monitor Russian vessels. Healey stated at the press conference that there is currently no evidence that underwater infrastructure has been damaged by Russian vessels, but the UK and its allies will specifically verify this. Both Healey and the Ministry of Defence emphasized that the series of public and overt measures taken by the UK, including the deployment of sonar buoys, were intended to convey to Russia that its so-called secret activities are not secret to the UK, and that Russia's intentions and actions are within the UK's grasp. The UK's tracking and monitoring mission of Russian vessels lasted over a month; Healey held the press conference only after the mission concluded. Healey reiterated that GUGI's surface and underwater vessels are largely used for hybrid warfare, specifically to threaten other countries' critical underwater infrastructure, conducting preliminary reconnaissance and mapping in peacetime, and engaging in sabotage during conflict. Among them, the GUGI vessel most frequently sighted in UK waters in the past two years is the "Yantar." Nominally an oceanographic research vessel belonging to Russia's Northern Fleet, the "Yantar" has been known as a "spy ship" for years. Public data shows that the "Yantar" is equipped with autonomous and unmanned vehicles capable of deep-sea surveillance and sabotage operations, operating at depths exceeding 6000 meters underwater. Last November, the UK government revealed that the "Yantar" had fired a laser beam at a UK Air Force P8 monitoring its activities, directed towards the pilot. Subsequent inspection showed no damage to the pilot, P8, or related equipment. The UK Ministry of Defence today also for the first time released satellite images of GUGI's Arctic Circle base in Olenya Guba, Murmansk Oblast, Russia, including images of surface and underwater vessels within the base. (Edited by Chen Huiping) 1150410